Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed with Alcohol

Whitaker discusses how friends, however well-meaning, can threaten one’s commitment to sobriety. In her initial months of sobriety, Whitaker went to gatherings where people were drinking and found that sometimes people were disrespectful of her choice not to drink and trivialized her addiction. One of the great challenges of Whitaker’s sobriety was being socially excluded. She also found that she did not enjoy some people’s company as much as she had before and made the decision to end certain friendships. This social transformation, Whitaker argues, is one of the most important aspects of sobriety, as finding supportive people and maintaining confidence in your decision are crucial aspects of recovery.

The author lists several truths about relationships. The first is the importance of self-forgiveness, which she feels is a prerequisite to making amends with others. The next is that every relationship is an “assignment,” or an opportunity to learn and grow. She tells the reader that they are allowed to change, and people learn how to treat you based on what you allow. Whitaker believes that if you dislike someone, it may be because you see negative parts of yourself in them, and she encourages the reader to use it as an opportunity for reflection.